From the Daily: Vote John EdwardsHopeful populist candidate the right choiceBy the Michigan Daily

The original nine that made up the group of Democratic presidential
candidates offered voters something that has become all too rare in American
politics: choice. In a system that encourages centrism and homogeneity,
rarely are American voters presented with clear, differentiated options
on Election Day. Yet in this primary season, nine different candidates
from different backgrounds brought their individual experiences, talents
and ideas to the table and gave the nation one of its most diverse candidate
fields in recent history. Howard Dean, with his fiery style and passionate
opposition to President Bush. Dick Gephardt, a career legislator and a
Democratic veteran. Wesley Clark, a four-star general, who made an electric
entrance into the campaign that instantly thrust him to the front of the
pack.

With candidates hailing from so many different professions, it is surprising
that the strongest and most dynamic candidate does not come from a particularly
unique background. He is not a reverend or a doctor. He is not a combat
veteran or a general. He is not a career politician or a former ambassador.
At times, his campaign has been written off by critics, his message ignored
by the media. Yet, in a time of national crisis, he has chosen optimism
over aggression, populism over pandering. Where other candidates have lacked
style, substance or both, he has shown uncommon intelligence, passion and
charisma that have won him votes, and won him our support. He is, of course,
the son of a mill worker, a lawyer and a senator from North Carolina. Because
he has run an exciting and positive campaign that has addressed the issues
of concern to most Americans, U.S. Senator JOHN EDWARDS is the best Democratic
candidate to face President Bush in the general election.

In this time of high unemployment and war, terror and tragedy, it is
all too easy for a candidate to trod down the path of pessimism and criticism.
Edwards stands out from the pack as an idealistic and optimistic voice.
When Dick Gephardt and Howard Dean were spending millions attacking each
other in Iowa, Edwards snuck in and clinched a second-place finish by providing
an upbeat, uplifting vision of America. By relying on a constructive campaign
that entices voters into working toward a greater social and economic change,
Edwards offers a unique and thoroughly refreshing perspective in a negatively
charged atmosphere.

When Edwards speaks about the two Americas, and the pervasive class
inequalities we face, he resonates deeply with many who find themselves
disaffected and neglected in Bush's America. After three years of disappointing
economic performance and a series of financial scandals, idealistic dreams
of equal economic opportunity seem just that -- dreams. Edwards's campaign
strives to bring back economic optimism and restore faith in the American
dream. His dominant campaign theme is closing the chasm between the two
halves of America, and his policies aim to provide hope.

Edwards, who has made bridging the economic divide into a centerpiece
of his campaign, has created a series of economic proposals that reward
hard work, uphold American business and economic values and encourage growth.
His economic plan, based on the premise that middle-class America is the
engine that drives our national success, aims to increase its size and
strength.

His tax plan repeals the Bush tax cut for the wealthy, replacing it
with a series of tax incentives and credits to help average Americans reap
the benefits of their hard work. Unlike Bush, whose tax plan was skewed
toward the rich, Edwards plans on lifting the tax burden off middle- and
lower-class America to create a more just and fair economic system. His
"American Dream" tax credit provides a tax credit of up to $5,000 toward
a down payment on a house.
Edwards also realizes the necessity of economic innovation and modernization.
He has revived the idea of "empowerment zones," providing special incentives
to small-business owners who move into areas hit by heavy job loss. In
addition to this tax plan, he has proposed ways to draw venture capital
toward declining areas, leading to the revitalization and modernization
of local economies. With an eye on the future, Edwards has realized that
a new generation of leaders will be needed to further American prosperity
in coming years. Consequently, he has proposed funding initiatives to encourage
investment in education and innovation.

Many candidates made promises during the primaries to reform higher
education, but few indicated a staunch commitment on the part of the candidate
to the problems facing the nation's public universities. Edwards's "College
for Everyone" program not only will help make college available to more
young adults, but reflects an understanding and commitment on his part
to higher education as a whole. Under his plan, all qualified students
would receive one year worth of tuition in exchange for working an average
of ten hours per week in their communities. This program would allow many
students who would otherwise be unable to experience college the opportunity
to see first hand the benefits of higher learning. In addition to his education
plans, Edwards wants to eliminate legacy admissions, which prefer the children
of alumni, to increase the chances of children who are first in their family
to attend college.

Edwards is not a perfect candidate; we endorse him with some reservations.
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of Edwards's record is his support for
the Patriot Act. When questioned about his stance on the act, Edwards has
repeatedly taken a confusing position, saying he never expected the Bush
administration to use the powers the way it has.

Edwards's record on the war in Iraq is also a cause for concern. While
he initially voted to authorize the war, he voted against the bill authorizing
$87 billion for the reconstruction effort. By voting against the Iraq appropriations
bill, Edwards has attempted to present himself as an opponent of the president's
war even though he supported it when the time came for him to vote yea
or nay on the Senate floor.

Concerns aside, The Michigan Daily, confidently endorses John Edwards
as the Democratic nominee for president.